Just recently, a 6-yr-old said: “Daddy, why in the English Mass does the priest have his back to Jesus the whole time?”[Ex ore infantium… – Fr. Z]

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Decree: Merger of St Hedwig, Holy Cross, St. Clement and St. Anthony of Padua, Minneapolis

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DECREE

In nomine Domini, Amen

A parish is a definite community of the Christian faithful established on a stable basis within a particular church. The bishop of the diocese has the responsibility of erecting parishes as the needs of the faithful require. It is also the responsibility of the bishop to alter the configuration of parishes as conditions change and circumstances warrant.

In studying the needs of the entire Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, it was apparent that consideration needed to be given to the configuration of pastoral care in certain locales. The Church of Saint Hedwig of Minneapolis, established in 1914 to care for a portion of the Polish-speaking population previously assigned to Holy Cross, the Church of the Holy Cross of Minneapolis, established in 1886 to care for the Polish-speaking population of Minneapolis, and the church of Saint clement, established in 1902 from a mission of Saint Anthony of Padua, represent two personal parishes and one territorial parish in close proximity. To maximize the pastoral services available to these communities, it was deemed appropriate to consider a merger with the neighboring parish, the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua of Minneapolis, established in 1849 as the first Catholic parish of Minneapolis. This would result in a parish that is both territorial and which has the responsibility for a portion of the Polish-speaking population of Minneapolis.

After a series of consultations with the communities involved and with those who have been charged with their pastoral care, I have become convinced that this is an appropriate time for this merger to take place. The opinions of those concerned have been heard. The matter was presented to the Presbyteral Council for discussion on September 21, 2010, and the results of the consultation were positive.

Accordingly, I now proceed with the canonical merger of the Church of Saint Hedwig of Minneapolis, the Church of the Holy Cross of Minneapolis, and the Church of Saint Clement into the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua of Minneapolis. By means of this document, I declare this merger accomplished. I herewith assign to the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua of Minneapolis the Polish Catholics previously belonging to the Church of the Holy Cross and the Church of Saint Hedwig, as well as all those Catholics living within the territory previously assigned to the Church of Saint Clement, described as

To the North- 37th Avenue NE, running west from Johnson Street NE to

To the West- University Avenue NE, then south on University to the overpass of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad tracks, then southeast on the line of the tracks to

To the South- Broadway Street, then east on Broadway to

To the East- Johnson Street NE, then north on Johnson back to 37th Avenue NE.

The territory of the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua is thereby described as

To the North- 37th Avenue NE, running west from Johnson Street NE to

To the West- the Mississippi River, following its line south to the bridge at Hennepin Avenue, then

to the South- east on Hennepin to Johnson Street NE;

to the East- north on Johnson back to 37th Avenue NE.

The GIS data set relating to this physical description, which is the legal definition of the territory of the parish, is on file at the Chancery.

Parishioners of the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua of Minneapolis de jure shall be all Catholics living within these parish boundaries, as well as the Polish Catholics previously belonging to the Church of the Holy Cross and the Church of Saint Hedwig.

All rights and obligations attached to the Church of Saint Hedwig of Minneapolis, the Church of the Holy Cross of Minneapolis, and the Church of Saint Clement shall be assumed by the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua of Minneapolis. all assets and liabilities attached to the Church of Saint Hedwig of Minneapolis, the Church of the Holy Cross of Minneapolis, and the Church of Saint Clement shall transfer to the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua of Minneapolis.

The Church of Saint Anthony of Padua of Minneapolis will continue to utilize all of the worship sites until such a time as the merged community, having fulfilled the canonical requirements, determines that one or more of the church buildings should be relegated to secular use and put up for sale. In accord with canon law, the proceeds from the sale of any parish property formerly belonging to the Church of Saint Hedwig of Minneapolis, the Church of the Holy Cross of Minneapolis, and the Church of Saint Clement will become the property of the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua of Minneapolis.

Having done all things required bgy the norms of law, I hereby declare the Church of Saint Hedwig of Minneapolis, the Church of the Holy Cross of Minneapolis, the Church of Saint clement and the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua of Minneapolis, in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, formally merged.

Interested parties who feel aggrieved by this decree have the right to challenge this decision through the normal channels of hierarchical recourse. This process must begin with the aggrieved parties requesting that I revoke or amend this decree. This request must be made in writing within ten days of the communication of this decision.

This decree is effective on January 1, 2012.

Given at Saint Paul, Minnesota, this 14th day of October, in the year of Our Lord 2010.

In witness of this, we have set our seal and our hand.

The Most Reverent John C. NienstedtArchbishop of Saint Paul and Minneapolis